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Thursday, December 5, 2013

Wings of Arian Book Tour + Giveaway!

Kiora thought she had never heard a lie until she was sixteen. But she was wrong. Her entire existence was based on nothing but. She thought that evil did not exist. Lie. That magic was not real. Lie. And that the land of Meros was all there was. One more lie.

With Aleric telling her that evil is knocking on the door and that she is the only one who can stop them she has a choice to make. Refuse, or start the wildest most painful ride of her life.

She reluctantly dips her toe into her new existence of magic and threads, dragons and shapeshifters, and the person who wants to take control of it all: the evil Dralazar.

However, this journey was never meant to be hers alone. She will be accompanied by a Protector. To her disbelief, and utter irritation they name the hotheaded, stubborn, non-magical, (albeit gorgeous) Prince Emane. They will have to trust each other with their lives, but right now Kiora would settle for a non hostile conversation.

And now it comes down to this, If you had never heard a lie, would you know when you heard one? Is knowing good from evil innate? Kiora finds herself having to decide who lives and who dies on those very questions.

Who doesn't love an awesome cover? I mean, seriously, look at that thing. When I was asked to join the book tour, I didn't hesitate. Ladies and gents, stay tuned; there's an excerpt to be read and goodies to be won. ;)

“A dragon, yes.” Turning back, she peered through the trees trying to get a better look at the dragon. “But it’s not the one I saw in my vision.”

Emane took a step up behind her, putting his face over her shoulder, he hissed in her ear. “There is more than one of those things?”

“At least four now.”

“What?” Prince Emane shouted jerking backwards.

Kiora cringed as the dragon turned its head toward them, letting out a thunderous roar.

“So, Eleana, you now harbor eavesdropping children?” Its voice was deep, male, and resonated with a melodic quality.

“Those children are who we have been discussing,” Eleana answered calmly.

The dragon stretched its brown scaly neck around one of the trees to get a better look at the two humans that stood staring at him. His head moved past Kiora without much of a glance to focus in on Emane. “This is the Solus?”

“No, Morcant, the other one.”

Pulling his head back a bit, his eyes widened slightly in surprise at the sight of Kiora. Pulling back further, the dragon turned his massive head to the side looking at Eleana. “The Solus is a female?”

“Yes, Morcant, she is. Kiora, Emane, will you both please come over here?”

They picked their way through to where Aleric, Eleana and the giant dragon were standing. Kiora was not sure how the dragon had gotten himself in there in the first place. She glanced behind the dragon at a huge section of trees that had been crushed like toothpicks.

Oh, that’s how, she thought.

Eleana put her hand on Kiora's shoulder. “Kiora, this is Morcant. Morcant, this is Kiora, the Solus. And this is her Protector,” she hesitated for a moment, before naming him, “Prince Emane.”

Morcant raised his eyebrows as Emane was introduced. “Did you say ‘Prince’?”

“I did. Morcant,” she warned, “he is not his family, just as you are not yours.”

Morcant humphed. He poked his massive face forward, nearly butting Emane in the head. Emane jumped back, looking nervously back and forth from the dragon to Eleana.

“That was an interesting little tidbit you kept from me, Eleana.”

Eleana pulled her head higher, sliding between Morcant and Emane. “It was Epona’s decision, Morcant. You may take it up with her.”

Pulling his head back to his full height, Morcant snorted in disgust.

Kiora could not get over how he sounded when he spoke. On one hand, the sheer volume was frightening. But on the other hand, it was so melodic and the tone so beautiful she didn't want him to stop talking.

“Morcant, I know it has been some time since you have had company,” Eleana chided, stepping away from Emane. “But do you think you could perhaps try to recall some manners?”

The giant dragon smiled, exposing a very large row of huge teeth. He bent his head low to the ground in between Kiora and Emane's feet. “I am very pleased to meet both of you.” His eyes shifted over to look at Eleana. “I apologize for my dreadful manners,” his voice dripped with sarcasm and amusement. “As Eleana mentioned, it has indeed been some time since I have had the need for conversation.”

Kiora looked down at him, a smile playing across her lips.

Morcant pulled his head up slightly so he stood nose to nose with her. “What are you thinking, girl?”

“Her name is Kiora.” Eleana corrected.

"Of course, Kiora. Those dreadful manners of mine.” He smiled wide again exposing his teeth. “What is it that you are thinking, Kiora?”

“I was thinking what a lovely creature you are.”

The dragon pulled himself up to full size, snapping a few branches in the process, letting loose a bellowing laugh. Kiora could feel her insides vibrating as the sound rippled through the forest.

“Lovely creature, she says! I like her, Eleana. I don't think anyone has ever called me that, not in at least three thousand years.” His laugh was still bellowing around them. He raised a foot and stomped the ground in sheer delight. The shock wave from the impact rolled through the ground knocking Aleric, Kiora and Emane off their feet.

“Morcant!” Eleana yelled over him, “You are going to kill them all if you are not careful.”

Morcant abruptly stopped, looking down at the pile of humans struggling to stand. Kiora pushed herself back to her feet, rubbing her elbow.

“Sorry,” Morcant chortled. “I had forgotten the frailty of man.” He clicked his tongue “Too bad, really. You could do so much more without all those limitations.”

About the author:

Devri Walls lives in Kuna, Idaho, with her husband and two kids. She has worked as a music teacher and is currently a preschool teacher. She majored in theater, and her love of a story still drives her today. Thankfully, she has finally found an outlet for all the voices in her head.